Otoplasty Blogs

Otoplasty is one of the procedures where you can instantly see the changes in the appearance of the ear. However, you might see ears that are pinned too far back to the head. This can ultimately lead to unwanted results and disappointment. If this happens, though, several otoplasty techniques that can be taken to correct it. One of these is Reverse Otoplasty.

Otoplasty is one of the procedures where you can instantly see the changes in the appearance of the ear. However, you might see ears that are pinned too far back to the head. This can ultimately lead to unwanted results and disappointment. If this happens, though, several otoplasty techniques that can be taken to correct it. One of these is Reverse Otoplasty.

What is Reverse Otoplasty?

To undo the over-corrected ears, a patient may undergo a procedure called reverse otoplasty. It is a surgery where the otoplasty surgeon will most likely make use of tissue grafts to fix the over-correction of the ears. 

During the surgery, your otoplasty surgeon will need to make an incision behind the ears to widen the gap between the ears and the head.  After doing this step, they will then need to place a cartilage graft to provide support and keep the ear in place. 

The cartilage is usually taken from the ribcage and the concha of your ear. However, if the plastic surgeon decides it is okay, a prosthetic material can be used as an alternative to avoid using the cartilage from your ribcage. 

If the skin is not enough to cover the gap. A tissue graft will also be taken to fill in the missing skin. But don’t worry, all the steps will be discussed to you in-depth by your otoplasty surgeon during your consultation.  

How to know if you have over-corrected ears?

Although it may seem like your ears look like they were over-corrected right after an otoplasty, it is quite normal. The cartilage of your ear tends to return to its initial position after the ear heals and relaxes a few weeks or months after the surgery. Because of this, during your ears’ healing process, it may look like it was pinned back too much. Just wait for a few months and your ears should look normal.

But, how do you know if your ears are over-corrected?

After you have given your ears the time it needs to heal completely, one thing you can do is to fully face the mirror. If you can barely see your ears then there is a high chance that your ears might be pinned back too far. Ideally, you should have three to five millimeters distance between the side of your head and the auricle. 

One thing that you should keep in mind is that it is not possible to undergo reverse otoplasty just months from the initial otoplasty procedure and the release of the cartilage sutures. Remember that it is important to let your ear fully heal first. You must also keep in mind the post-surgery instructions of your surgeon to avoid any complications from happening. 

Do you think that you have overly-corrected ears? Talk to an expert in the field of Otoplasty in New York. Dr.Charles Thorne has been performing otoplasty procedures on both kids and adults for more than three decades now. With him, you will surely be in good hands. You can set an appointment with him or you can learn more about otoplasty by clicking here.